Compartmentalized cosmetic tray



y 27, 1969 R. F. HOWE COMPARTMENTALIZED COSMETIC TRAY Sheet Filed Oct. 18. 1966 1 I [III P. w F 7 f e w R INVENTOR.

May 27, 1969 R. F. HOWE COMPARTMENTALIZED COSMETIC TRAY Sheet 2 M2 Filed Oct. 18, 1966 Robe/IF Howe INVENTOR.

BY Wm and United States Patent 3,446,215 COMPARTMENTALIZED COSMETIC TRAY Robert F. Howe, 96 Exchange St., Leominster, Mass. 01453 Filed Oct. 18, 1966, Ser. No. 587,533 Int. Cl. A45d 33/26 U.S. Cl. 132-83 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A compartmentalized tray having a rotatable supporting base and a plurality of compartments defined by a peripheral wall and partition walls. One compartment is shaped to receive a hand mirror which forms a closure for that compartment with the mirror compartment also including supports for supporting the handle of the hand mirror in a manner to position the mirror in different angular positions so that the tray may be placed on a dressing table or the like so that various cosmetic articles are readily accessible to the person using the device.

This invention generally appertains to improvements in trays or the like supports for supporting various and sundry articles and more particularly relates to a novel compartmentalized cosmetic tray for holding cosmetic articles in a position for ready and easy access.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a cosmetic tray which is subdivided into a plurality of individual and separate compartments for retaining in individual and orderly fashion various cosmetic articles so that such articles are in a position for ready and easy access by a user.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a compartmentalized cosmetic tray having at least one major compartment with a mirror constituting in one position a cover for the compartment and cooperative means between the tray and the mirror for positioning the mirror in a raised position at selected vertical angular positions for use.

A further important object of the present invention is to provide a compartmentalized cosmetic tray with a built-in mirror that functions as a compartment cover in a lowered or closed position and which is adapted to be disposed in selected standing positions at various angles for use, without interfering with the availability of the various cosmetic articles that are disposed in the individual compartments, such articles being in the nature of bottles, tubes and the like.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a cosmetic tray which is formed with a multiplicity of individual compartments for supporting in an individual and separate fashion all of the necessary cosmetic articles for make-up purposes and which tray can be revolved in the nature of a lazy susan so that, from one position, a user can easily bring into access a desired cosmetic article.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a compartmentalized cosmetic tray and a base support therefor and to provide means for rotatably mounting the tray on the base support in such a manner that the tray is free for rotation but will not wobble or move off the base support but can be lifted from the base support, which can constitute a housing for various ancillary cosmetic articles, such as tissues, cotton and the like.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a cosmetic tray, which is extremely attractive in appearance, economical to produce and yet very sturdy and durable.

A still further important object of the present invention is to provide a revolvable compartmentalized cosmetic tray with a built-in mirror which serves as a compartment cover and to provide means for mounting the mirror in standing positions on the tray at selected angles for use and to provide a base for supporting the tray for free rotation and to form the tray and base from inexpensive but sturdy material, such as commercial plastics, and to form the tray and base as two separate complemental units with bearing and guide means being formed on the adjoining portions of the base and tray.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a view in perspective of the cosmetic tray constructed in accordance with the present invention and showing the mirror in a lowered closure position;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view, taken substantially on line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the cosmetic tray with the mirror shown in a standing or raised position for use;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view, taken substantially on line 4-4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a detailed, fragmentary horizontal sectional view, taken on line 55 of FIGURE 4, and showing the mounting and bearing means between the tray and base support;

FIGURE 6 is a detailed, fragmentary vertical sectional view, taken on line 6-6 of FIGURE 5; and,

FIGURE 7 is a view in perspective of the tray, per se.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings, the cosmetic tray 10 comprises an annular base support 12, which rotatably supports a compartmentalized cosmetic tray 14. Both the base support 12 and the compartmentalized tray 14 are preferably molded from commercial plastic, which is sturdy but economical and can be embellished with any surface design so as to add to their attractiveness. In this respect, it is proposed that the tray assembly 10 will be mounted on a ladys dresser or dressing table and will contain in an individual and separate fashion for ready and easy accessibility all of the articles, which are normally required for make-up or cosmetic purposes and also for other body care or treatment purposes, such as care and treatment of the nails, elbows, and other parts of a ladys face and arms which require cosmetic treatment.

The base support 12 is annular and includes a flat bottom wall 16 and an integral upstanding annular side wall 18. The tray 14 is also annular and is formed with a bottom wall 20 and an upstanding, annular side wall 22. The tray 14 is adapted to be supported for free, frictionless rotation, by the base support 12 and, for this purpose, integral bearing and guide means 24, as shown more particularly in FIGURES 4 through 6, are provided on the cooperating surfaces of the base support 12 and the tray 14. Thus, the upper edge portion 26 of the side wall 18 of the base support 12 is slightly thickened and has an upper edge 28 which is formed at circumferentially spaced and, preferably, diametrically opposed points with integral dimples or semi-spherical integral bearing elements 30. As shown in FIGURE 6, the dimples or semi-spherical bearing elements 30 only slightly protrude above the upper 28 and the peripheral edge portion 32 of the fiat bottom wall 20 of the tray 14 is adapted to ride freely thereon.

The bearing and guide means 24 further include-s integral ribs 34 which depend from the underside of the bottom wall 20, slightly inwardly of the outer edge 32, and which are disposed in circumferentially spaced and, preferably, diametrically opposed fashion. The ribs 34 terminate at their opposing ends in rounded bearing members 36 and 38, which are adapted to ride on the inner surface 40 of the upper edge portion of the side wall 18 of the base support.

Thus, as can be appreciated from FIGURES 3 through 6, the bearing and guide means 24 are molded integrally with the base support and tray and cooperate so that the tray can be easily revolved but will not wobble or m ve from the base support, though it may be freely lifted or raised therefrom, so as to assume a stationary position, as

shown in FIGURE 7, wherein the ribs 34 constitute supporting legs for the then stationary or immobile tray.

The tray 14 is provided with a plurality of radial partition walls 42, which extend inwardly from the inner surface of the side wall 22 thereof and which divide the tray into a plurality of individual and separate compartments 44. The compartments are shown as being of a particular design but it can be appreciated that the partition walls 42 constitute an upstanding partition wall means which divides the tray into a plurality of adjoining individual and separate vertical compartments 44, which may be of various dimensions and sizes for holding cosmetic articles in upright positions for ready accessibility and use.

The tray 14 is formed at one side portion with a top wall portion 46, which is provided with a series of apertures 48, that are specially designed to hold tubes, such as tubes of lipstick or the like (not shown).

"Such top Wall 46 cooperates with an annular partition wall 50 to form a major annular compartment or well 52, which is, therefore, disposed adjacent one side portion of the tray. The well or major compartment 52 is adapted to hold or house any desired articles, which would not protrude above the upper edge 54 of the tray and the upper edges 56 of the partitions, which edges are co planar and are coplanar with the upper edge 54 and with the top wall 46. The annular well 52 is formed with an elongated vertical slot 58, which extends diametrically therefrom and in communication therewith toward the opposing portion of the side wall and which is defined by the straight partition walls 60 and 62 which constitute part of the partition wall means.

A mirror assembly '64 is provided and includes an elongated rigid handle 66 and an annular body portion 68, having a mirror face 70 and a backing 72.

The mirror assembly 64 is adapted to be disposed in a horizontal closure position, with respect to the tray 14, as shown in FIGURE 1. In such position, the mirror b dy portion 68 forms a closure for the major compartment or well 52 with the handle 66 being received in the elongated slot 58.

Means is provided whereby the mirror may be disposed in secure standing or upright positions, on the tray, and may be securely supported at predetermined angles for use. In this respect, as shown in FIGURES 2 and 4, the slot 58 is formed with mirror supporting means 74 and 76. The supporting means 74 comprises a rib 78 which is transversely disposed between the walls 60 and 62 and which is provided at an angle in relation to a cooperating and spaced bar member 80. The rib 78 and bar member 80 are disposed in parallel relationship and are spaced apart a sufiicient distance to receive therebetween the lower end of the rigid handle 66 and securely support the mirror in a rather inclined angle, away from a user facing the mirror face 70, as can be appreciated from a consideration of FIGURES 3 and 4.

On the other hand, the support means 76 includes a perpendicular rib 82 and a cooperating and spaced wall member 84, which is parallel with the rib. The support means 76 is adapted to support the mirror in an almost perpendicular position, with respect to the tray, as shown in full lines in FIGURE 4.

Obviously, the supporting means 74 and 76 are merely exemplary, since other rib and wall arrangements may be provided for receiving the lower end of the rigid handle 66 and supporting the mirror at any desired angular upstanding position for use.

In use, the interior of the base support can be utilized to house tissues, cotton, scissors or any and various sundry articles, utilized in association with cosmetic or make-up purposes.

The compartments 44 will be shaped and designed to hold bottles of fingernail polish, lotions, hand creams and the like and the bottles can extend above the upper edge 54 of the tray and will be easily accessible. In this respect, it can be appreciated from a consideration of FIGURE 3 that, with a user facing the mirror face 76, the user can easily revolve the tray 14 on the base support 12 so as to obtain a desired cosmetic article and then return the tray to its position wherein it would be orientated so that the mirror face can be utilized.

When the cosmetic tray is not in use, the mirror can be disposed in its closure position, as shown in FIGURE 1, and any articles in the major compartment or well 52 will be covered over by the mirror.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A cosmetic tray having a bottom wall and an upstanding side wall attached thereto, a compartment within said side Wall having an upstanding wall, said compartment including an enlarged portion adjacent the side wall and an elongated narrow portion extending from the enlarged portion diametrically of the tray, a mirror having a body portion and a handle, said mirror conforming in shape and configuration to the compartment and constituting in a lowered position a cover for the compartment, and cooperative means between the narrow portion of the compartment and the mirror handle for supporting the mirror in a raised position at a vertical angular position for use.

2. The invention of claim 1, and upstanding partition wall means dividing the tray between said compartment and said upstanding side wall into a plurality of adjoining individual vertical compartments for holding cosmetic articles in position for ready accessibility and use.

3. A cosmetic container comprising a tray having a bottom wall and a side wall, upstanding partition wall means dividing the container into a plurality of adjoining individual compartments for holding cosmetic articles in upright positions for ready accessibility and use, said partition wall means providing an enlarged vertical compartment adjacent a portion of the side wall and forming an elongated vertical slot extending from the compartment toward the opposite portion of the side wall, a mirror having a body portion and an elongated handle, said body portion being adapted to constitute a horizontal cover for the enlarged compartment with the handle seated in the slot and means provided in the slot and cooperating with the handle for supporting the mirror in selected vertical angular positions upstanding from the container.

4. The invention of claim 3, wherein said last means includes spaced apart, cooperating rib elements transversely formed vertically in the slot and adapted to receive and support the lower end of the handle.

5. The invention of claim 3, wherein means is provided for mounting the tray for rotative movements.

-6. The invention of claim 3, wherein said tray is annular and has a bottom wall and an upstanding side wall between which the partition walls extend and an annular base support for said tray and means rotatably mounting the tray on the base support.

7. The invention of claim 6, wherein said base support is annular and has a bottom wall and an upstanding side wall terminating in a free upper edge and said tray has a bottom wall and means integrally formed with the upper edge of the side wall of the base support and with the bottom wall of the tray for rotatably and guidingly mounting the tray on the upper edge of the side wall of the base support which constitutes a housing means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,248,284 11/1917 Dickerson 132-79 1,572,850 2/1926 Slaiger 132-83 2,597,130 5/1952 Ross 13279 ROBERT PESHOCK, Primary Examiner. 

